Kristy Bowen

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
While lighting is not always at the forefront of home design when you are outfitting a space with updated paint colors and furniture, it's important both for aesthetics and function. After all, lighting, typically sets the mood and the unique style of any room. While your love of vintage and antiques may be what makes your home distinctive, some lighting fixtures may fall prey to the paradox of being old enough to qualify as vintage, b...

Rubber rain boots can last for years if you treat them right, defending your feet from dampness and mud when frolicking outdoors or working in your garden. Even if your boots have seen better days or have begun to fall apart, there are numerous cool DIY projects that allow you to repurpose an old pair of rain boots for functional or decorative pieces with just a few modifications. From outdoor planters to gorgeous holiday centerpieces, rubber boots can offer a wealth of possibilities.
You can...

Open-concept homes are one of the leading construction styles in newer builds and remodels, offering single-space living that combines what used to be separate living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens into a single unified space. Not only does this type of layout reflect modern life and its desire to gather in common spaces, but it can also help a home feel more flowing and open. One of the downsides of open floor plans, however, is a lack of definition, which occasionally leads to spaces fee...

Kitchen islands have long been a stylish and functional way to add extra work and storage space to any kitchen, particularly useful if you have dead space in the middle of the kitchen or limited existing counter space. These islands, typically at counter height, come in a large variety, from sprawling marble islands to portable options on wheels that can be moved around the kitchen. A stylish alternative to newer islands, however, can give your kitchen a greater sense of history and character...

Antiques and other older pieces are an instant way to add charm and character to any space, a trick HGTV hosts Dave and Jenny Marrs often employ in their stunning transformations of the homes they work on. These unique pieces don't always arrive readymade and ready to use. A lovely kitchen remodel on a recent episode of "Fixer to Fabulous" involved a stunning kitchen hutch that started as a table found at a local antique shop. The Marrs turned it into a towering hutch to display the homeowner...

Coffee and tea mugs can be some of the most cherished objects in any home, whether they are exquisite handmade pottery pieces or funny novelty mugs used for decades. Homeowners want a place to conveniently store their favorite mugs, but they also love making them part of their home décor by displaying them stylishly in the kitchen. While mug trees, shelves, and storage racks can be found at retailers aplenty, DIY projects can be a budget-friendly way to turn ordinary objects into stunning and...

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Antique and vintage lamps can be beautiful additions to your décor, especially if your space is retro-inspired or maximalist in nature. Decorative accents like carved metalwork and stained glass shades can add enormous amounts of interest. If you've stumbled on a pretty light fixture from a thrift store, flea market, or other secondhand venue and are looking for a way to incorporate the piece into your home, consider its possibilities ...

There are many ways to repurpose old dishes in your home and garden, including clever DIY projects that take full advantage of the beauty of these older pieces, which often sport colorful flowers, unique designs, and interesting shapes. If you adore collecting vintage dishware, you will love this impressive use for old dishes that can add beauty to your outdoor space and a ton of vintage charm. By stacking and layering multiple dishware pieces together, you can create gorgeous hanging sculptu...

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Vintage teacups and mugs often boast some of the most beautiful floral designs. You can spot them easily on the shelves of your favorite thrift store, where they can usually be picked up for around a dollar each. Other great sources include flea markets and garage sales, which often have full tea sets available for a steal. Many of these cups already have some damage like chips, crazing, or cracks, making them perfect for a vast array ...

You're probably used to encountering file organizers, trays, and racks in thrift stores and other secondhand venues. They can be made of multiple materials, from inexpensive cardboard to more durable wire mesh and heavy plastic. With this variation, they are endlessly adaptable to all sorts of household uses outside your home office, including storage and organization in the kitchen. These pieces are a great hack for organizing your space, holding everything from fruit and veggies to those st...

Closet doors in many homes can be a mixed bag, with some abodes cursed with unsightly or boring builder grade closet doors you should ditch for stylish alternatives. This can be especially distracting in rooms with more than one closet, such as side-by-sides or closets on adjoining or opposite walls. Essentially, a huge portion of your wall space is given over to these openings and whatever covers them. There is a way to remedy monotonous doors, which involves swapping out one or both doors w...

Thrift store aisles are often filled with woven baskets in all shapes, sizes, and designs. They typically are available for just a couple for dollars, making them a great item to pick up and use for storage and organization needs. While there are many ways to repurpose thrifted baskets indoors and out, one ingenious hack may not have occurred to you. You can turn any woven basket into an adorable wall shelf with just a few modifications. The result is a budget-friendly shelf that makes for cr...

Most bathrooms can benefit greatly from adding an accent wall whether it's above the vanity, behind the commode, or working as a backdrop to a bathtub. An accent wall can provide a much-needed focal point or work to visually lengthen and heighten a smaller bathroom. The trick is using accent wall techniques that don't involve wood paneling or some other potential water trap. HGTV and the Magnolia Network's Joanna Gaines, however, creates a fun take on accent walls in the final episode of "Fix...

Mid-century modern decor and design is known for its clean and simple lines, retro feel, and abundance of rich neutrals mixed with bolder colors like orange, avocado green, and mustard. Many mid-century modern homes allow this beautiful style to dominate all their rooms, including the bedroom, where the spareness of mid-century modern aesthetics and retro charm sets the stage for beds in gorgeous wood tones, sleek-lined bureaus, and fun textural elements like wallpaper and wood accent walls. ...

If you're looking for a way to protect your plants and flowers during chillier seasons, the internet is filled with an abundance of cool DIY greenhouse ideas, many of which allow you to build a customized glass or plexiglass enclosure to create the right environment for growing. One often-overlooked source of wood frames and glass panels is older windows, which can be assembled into a budget-friendly custom greenhouse with the addition of some simple wood framing made from two-by-fours.
These...